Notifications.
Notifications, email, and social media are designed to hijack your attention. Companies literally pay millions of dollars to programmers who work to keep your attention on their program.
In law, focus is critical and often hard to come by, as we're pulled in millions of different directions, personally and professionally, all day every day.
Constant pings and glaring-red notifications erode our productivity, increase our stress, and make even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
When I entered private practice, I thought email and meeting pings were helpful. But, very quickly, they became a trigger and an ever present interrupter of deep work.
The result? I was busy, but rarely focused.
My best work—the deep, strategic thinking that clients and partners actually value—got squeezed into the margins as I felt compelled to acknowledge every notification that came my way.
Now, I take a different approach.
I don't use notifications. Ever. Period.
My cellphone is always on silent.
When I need to get real work done, I switch my devices to “do not disturb,” and close my email entirely.
I use Microsoft's "focus" tools to block unscheduled time for focused work.
I have an app that blocks distracting apps on my phone and iPad, and which requires physical action to interrupt those scheduled blocks.
It’s not always easy, I do often have to add meetings/calls to those spaces, or I give in to doom scroll, because I'm a human, not a robot.
But, overall, the intentionality and reminder to protect at least some time for deep work (or undistracted time at home) has improved my focus and work product.
If you’re looking to go further, I recommend Cal Newport’s books “Deep Work” and “Digital Minimalism.” They offer practical strategies for reclaiming your attention and building habits that support real, meaningful work.
♥️ ✌🏻🔥
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Husch Blackwell LLP or any other organization. Examples are generalized and do not reflect current client matters or firm positions.
